Chapter Forty-Seven: The Grand Celestial Star Formation

After Kunpeng left the Xuanming Tribe, he flew northward, intending to return to the Northern Sea and reconsider his plans. Along the way, however, he was drawn by a seductive melody. Looking into the distance, he saw a grand and magnificent Daoist temple. Kunpeng was surprised—this was the territory of the Wu people; how could there be such a large Daoist temple here?

Without hesitation, he flew toward the temple. Landing in front of its main gate, he looked up and saw the sign above, inscribed in the universal script of the primordial world: “Teachings of All Living Beings.” On either side of the entrance hung couplets: “All beings suffer, the cycle of reincarnation is merciless.”

“All Living Beings Sect?”

Kunpeng repeated the name quietly and, compelled by curiosity, entered the temple and arrived at its vast plaza. Many had already gathered there, yet not a single sound could be heard. All creatures sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes half-closed, faces solemn and respectful.

On a high platform, a Daoist with a sorrowful expression sat in meditation, his bearing dignified, surrounded by a golden light of guidance. The faint, enchanting melody emanated from his lips.

The crowd below listened, completely absorbed, as if entranced.

Kunpeng, seeing that no one paid him any heed, found a quiet spot and sat down. As the gentle melody reached his ears, his previously irate mood gradually calmed, and he became immersed in the unique philosophy contained within the music.

Days passed with the rising and setting of the sun; in the blink of an eye, more than a dozen days had gone by. On this day, the sorrowful Daoist finally opened his eyes, his gaze radiant with wisdom as he swept his eyes over the assembled beings and said quietly, “This lecture has concluded. You may each depart.”

The crowd below, as if waking from a dream, rose to their feet, pressed their hands together in reverence, bowed to the platform, and departed in silence. The entire process was solemn and dignified, not a single sound was made.

Kunpeng also stood, but did not leave with the others. When all had gone, he pressed his hands together, bowed to the sorrowful Daoist, and approached.

After listening for over ten days, Kunpeng had become deeply engrossed and felt a certain respect for the Daoist who had expounded the theory of reincarnation.

The sorrowful Daoist stood on the platform, glanced at Kunpeng, and said quietly, “Fellow Daoist, come with me.” With that, he turned and entered the great hall.

Kunpeng hesitated for a moment, then followed the Daoist inside.

……

Time was never lacking in the primordial world. For tens of thousands of years afterward, it remained tranquil.

Since Hongjun’s third sermon, which distributed numerous spiritual treasures, quasi-saints emerged one after another in the primordial world, and Golden Immortals were everywhere.

The golden age of the primordial world arrived quietly!

Heavenly Court.

In the Palace of Miluo, Li Tian silently opened his eyes. A flash of white light, and a white figure stepped out from the Cauldron of Heaven and Earth.

“Benevolent corpse, formed!”

Li Tian rose, and with a thought, stored away the benevolent corpse he had just severed.

Over tens of thousands of years, the Heavenly Court had gained dozens more quasi-saint experts. Nuwa, too, had successfully severed her evil corpse ten thousand years ago, advancing to mid quasi-saint rank.

“You’ve finished your retreat.”

Fuxi had been waiting outside the Palace of Miluo. Seeing Li Tian emerge, he smiled and approached.

“Mm.” Li Tian nodded, feeling quite content after severing his benevolent corpse.

Walking side by side along the corridor outside the Palace of Miluo, Li Tian asked, “What brings you to me?”

“This is the Zhou Heavenly Star Array, which I deduced from the River Map and Luo Book.” Fuxi handed a formation diagram to Li Tian.

“Oh?” Li Tian was surprised—the Zhou Heavenly Star Array had appeared sooner than he expected.

He glanced at the diagram and nodded.

It was much like the Zhou Heavenly Star Array in his memory: the Sun and Lunar stars served as the core, with 360 main stars and 14,800 auxiliary stars arranged in a special pattern.

Once complete, the array would envelop the entire Heavenly Court, making it impregnable; even a saint would need considerable effort to break through.

(Note: The Zhou Heavenly Star Array is not recorded in ancient texts; it is an invention of primordial world fiction, with many versions. This is one such version.)

“This formation is excellent and should be established. You handle the arrangements.” Li Tian returned the diagram.

Now that both he and Nuwa were saints designated by Hongjun, both would eventually attain sainthood. Unlike the original demon clan’s Heavenly Court, there was less need for the Zhou Heavenly Star Array.

Yet as the Heavenly Court—future ruler of the primordial world—it needed a formidable formation.

Thus, the Zhou Heavenly Star Array was still necessary.

“Agreed, but…” Fuxi nodded, then frowned. “The Lunar Star is home to two innate deities; it would be difficult to move them here.”

“Xihe and Changxi?”

Li Tian thought of the two sisters and after some consideration said, “I’ll go to the Lunar Star myself.”

“That’s best.” Fuxi nodded, naturally without objection.

“By the way, where’s Nuwa?” Li Tian asked.

Fuxi smiled. “She’s in seclusion, contemplating the Primordial Purple Qi.”

“That’s good. I’ll be back soon.” Li Tian smiled as well.

……

Afterward, he flew from the Palace of Miluo, boarded the Nine-Dragon Chariot, left the Heavenly Court, and headed toward the Lunar Star.

“Xihe, Changxi.”

Reaching the sky above the Lunar Star, Li Tian called out.

“Ah, the Heavenly Emperor arrives.”

A moment later, Xihe’s voice echoed from afar. As Li Tian landed the Nine-Dragon Chariot atop the Lunar Star, Xihe and Changxi approached hand in hand.

“Heavenly Emperor.”

As they drew near, Xihe led Changxi in bowing deeply.

“Ladies, are you now willing to join my Heavenly Court?” Li Tian smiled, straightforward.

Xihe pondered for a moment before replying, “With the Heavenly Emperor’s personal invitation, my sister and I have no reason to refuse. May I ask what position you would grant us?”

Li Tian considered, then answered, “As Lords.”

He truly wished to grant these two former demon clan queens a high rank, but the Heavenly Court’s ennoblement process was now very strict. Even Hongyun, who contributed Primordial Purple Qi, was only granted a princely title.

Xihe was now a primary quasi-saint, Changxi at the peak of Golden Immortal. Their cultivation was hardly the highest in the Heavenly Court; conferring a princely title outright might provoke dissent and trouble. Thus, he could only settle for a lesser rank.

“In that case, my sister and I shall join the Heavenly Court.” Xihe nodded after brief contemplation.

The sisters had long considered joining the Heavenly Court but never made up their minds. Now that Li Tian had come in person, they could not refuse; to offend him would be unwise.

“That’s excellent.”

Li Tian smiled and nodded, thinking to himself that if the sisters disagreed, he might have to force the matter—now, thankfully, it was unnecessary.

He then explained to them that the Heavenly Court was planning to establish the Zhou Heavenly Star Array, requiring the Sun and Lunar stars to be moved near the Heavenly Court. Xihe and Changxi had no objection; relocating the Lunar Star would not affect them.

With everything settled, Li Tian drove the Nine-Dragon Chariot, bringing Xihe and Changxi back to the Heavenly Court, and announced their appointments in the Hall of Lingxiao.

Xihe was named Lord Xihe, Changxi was named Lord Changxi.

……